I love credit cards so much! v2.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[Chancery8]

Happy Friday! Haven't read a single post here (but have looked at the news thread on dischurners - thanks @Lain & @SouthFayetteFan for all your work on it) in the last two weeks ever since I left for my trip to Disneyland, but wanted to jump back in and say hi first.

DL was awesome. For being there during spring break, it was surprisingly not crowded. We did end up getting max pass at California Adventure, and it was great. Pretty much got to do every ride 2-3 times, and all return times were almost immediate, or within an hour or two....that's how slow it was. Standby lines weren't even bad for the larger rides, so we probably didn't even need max pass, but it was still nice to have.

Only other thing to report is that I got my approval letter for 60k pt Citi Biz AA match. If you remember, I asked for 70k the first time and got a denial letter. Same day I got that letter, I did another chat asking for 60k, and got the approval letter 10 days later. Okay, now I'm gonna go catch up on the discussions I've missed here so far.

 

[alryan]

I see I have 2 Disney Premier Visa mailers coming today. Upgrade offers?

Hope so, I got one yesterday

 

[elgerber]

Hope so, I got one yesterday

are you upgrading then downgrading back after a year?

 

[amalone1013]

DP...on PCing my SW Plus card to a SW Priority
8/1/18...$69 AF posted
8/15/18..statement closed
8/16/18...RR points posted in my account...called for a retention offer and received a $35 statement credit
8/19/18...PCd the plus to a Priority card
8/21/18 ..$69 plus AF refunded
5/1/19...$149 Priority AF posted

So you just called to PC in general, didn't get that upgrade offer that went out last fall?

 

[palhockeymomof2]

So you just called to PC in general, didn't get that upgrade offer that went out last fall?

I did do the upgrade offer...forget how many RR points I received for it..

 

[alryan]

are you upgrading then downgrading back after a year?

Yes, that's the plan. I figure one phone call is worth $51. I did try and put DH's info in and it said he wasn't eligible for the offer, so I guess you do have to be targeted.

 

[miztressuz]

Probably non-news but had a thought and figured should be shared. For those with the AmEx Plats with the Saks credit, eBates gives in-store cashback for Saks purchases on a linked card. If you signed up for the MR earning eBates account, you can link your AmEx card and get additional MR on top of your purchase (cashback isn't bad either, but the new MR earning is what triggered the thought). They're doing increased offers this weekend so Saks is up to 4% back. As usual they said GC's are excluded but in practice most times this isn't enforced. So maybe worth a shot? (Separate offer for Saks off 5th, not that it helps using up the Plat credit.)

If you haven't signed up for the MR earning account yet, you can use a support link to do it. Doesn't get you anything different than the public offer but makes someone else's wallet happy The general gist is you use someone's support link, then in the same tab just navigate to the MR offer page and sign up. Ebates is apparently using a cookie to track support, so using the support link first sets that cookie and it doesn't care what type of account is actually created to complete the support offer. DoC posted it and it worked as they said when I created my eBates MR account.

If you haven't used it yet, the first Saks credit is expiring end of June? (I think, that would make sense for a twice a year benefit)

 

[DisVegas]

DH's AF posted yesterday too and the unrestricted free night is in his account. Mine was last month. We will use our unrestricted free nights at the Willard as a last resort but would like to try and find something different that would work for a long weekend getaway. We will definitely be keeping our card and not cancelling. I was able to find a few properties at 40K per night or less close to WDW and close to DLR.

Nice! What properties do you use IHG for at DLR and WDW? We use it for Hotel Indigo at DLR and Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista at WDW. We booked the annual night at the Amsterdam Intercontinental for the end of our River Cruise this fall.

 

[1st*toright]

Probably non-news but had a thought and figured should be shared. For those with the AmEx Plats with the Saks credit, eBates gives in-store cashback for Saks purchases on a linked card. If you signed up for the MR earning eBates account, you can link your AmEx card and get additional MR on top of your purchase (cashback isn't bad either, but the new MR earning is what triggered the thought). They're doing increased offers this weekend so Saks is up to 4% back. As usual they said GC's are excluded but in practice most times this isn't enforced. So maybe worth a shot? (Separate offer for Saks off 5th, not that it helps using up the Plat credit.)

If you haven't signed up for the MR earning account yet, you can use a support link to do it. Doesn't get you anything different than the public offer but makes someone else's wallet happy The general gist is you use someone's support link, then in the same tab just navigate to the MR offer page and sign up. Ebates is apparently using a cookie to track support, so using the support link first sets that cookie and it doesn't care what type of account is actually created to complete the support offer. DoC posted it and it worked as they said when I created my eBates MR account.

If you haven't used it yet, the first Saks credit is expiring end of June? (I think, that would make sense for a twice a year benefit)

Similar thoughts re. Dell and the Biz Platinum - I bought some headphones on Dell.com and got my $100 credit from the card, ebates (at 8% maybe?) plus credit from my amex offer. Made like $8 on buying $100 earbuds (after shipping cost). Also used my P2's Biz Plat credit on Dell to get me a new fitbit (with all the card shenanigans it was cheaper than replacing the broken strap on my old one!) You get $100 by the end of June, then a second credit by the end of December. Also, it looked like you could do split tender on Dell, so it may have been possible to buy a $200 item and use both cards.

 

[miztressuz]

Please don't bother with the Courtyard. I made the mistake and stayed there instead of the Fairfield like we typically do. Totally not worth it. I am curious which hotel is being built across from the Fairfield.

I am going to give a plug for Devon's Steak and Seafood right in town. It is fabulous!!! And we love Duck Donuts too!

Yeah, I have no idea why they are priced like that We like a Courtyard, but not $200 worth. I can't see why the price difference there. Good to know I'm not missing anything.

But, are you guys Marriott Platinum? Then you would get kitchen credit or whatever its called - cupboard? We got $20 in Ocean City!I don't particularly care for Fairfield breakfast, but I can't say I left hungry.

Yes, we are. Fairfield's breakfast isn't any great shakes but we're not big breakfast people anyway. If it's edible, and so far they all have been, then it's good enough for us. We're only staying the one night, and really, we'll probably only be in the room long enough to change and then sleep a bit before heading back home. So it was a thought since I wasn't really "paying for it" but may as well just stay at the place that came recommended by our DIS friends

I don't get why Courtyards are so expensive. With Platinum status you get $10 per person, per day, which might get you breakfast, but its not like they are so much more comfortable/better located than Fairfields or Spring Hill Suites. Of course, I'm spending $300 for a night at a Fairfield in the Boston area next week (out in the 'burbs), but my company is paying for that so I don't care (proving my point, I think).

We do like them for the room layout and so far all the mattresses have been comfortable, but I'm not going out of my way to pay for it. Most times they have a coffee shop in the lobby, but I never use it. I have no idea why they think they should get so much premium on that brand

 

[amalone1013]

After DHs KC flight got booked, he will be 1100 points short of A list for SW...

 

[calypso726]

Thank you all for the kind words and concerns - DH got the results of his MRI and the nodule that was found was benign.

Like @1st*toright I will apparently have a lot of spend to reimburse myself with... gotta love an HSA I guess. I am blessed to have the funds to do this and I feel for those who do not.

@Lain - I loved your post about your dreams for a Japan trip. I do not have kids but I would wait until your DD is a little older too - it's a long flight and a lot of money/points. You want to make sure she remembers it/enjoys it as you say.

I am always so impressed with all the trips everyone takes here - and that they take their kids. I never got to go on any vacations as a kid. My parents did not have the money. So now I am trying to make up for lost time I guess.

@calypso726 Thank you for sharing the prices for ABD Egypt. Maybe someday! Although when I told DH this trip was announced, he said "Oh are they taking armed guards wearing Mickey ears?" I just shook my head.

I took a vacation day today for mental health. Hopefully I can catch up more here!

Glad to hear it was benign.

I never went anywhere as a kid either. I grew up poor so I guess am making up for it now too.

I am glad to see ABD returning to Egypt. I figure if they have decided to return after all of these years it is safe enough. Under normal circumstances I’d be all over booking this trip. But with three Maiden Voyages looming on the horizon I am not making any plans that involve international air travel. I’d hate to book something, get award flights and then have to cancel because of conflicting dates.

 

[1st*toright]

After DHs KC flight got booked, he will be 1100 points short of A list for SW...

Fancy!!!

 

[amalone1013]

Fancy!!!

Basically the benefits are he can board between A and B if he doesn't get an A position, and he earns 25% extra points (I care most about that lol). He can use priority check in and security lanes but since he has GE that doesn't really matter. I will have to watch for his next work trip (or if we pay for something before then)... He tends to get anytime or biz select fares for work.

 

[StephPlum]

I don’t have advice for this particular one unfortunately. I hope you get your points. Reopening and PC is an option to try for sure. Or you could see if they post when the next stmt closes...it could happen (maybe??)

Definitely a lesson for folks to pay attention on though. When I close cards (or consider my PC options) there’s always a lot of thought around any pending points to make sure all is ok there. Sorry you’re caught up in this mess.

@kmc8826 Sorry about this. I was almost willing to pay the $95 to get my points. I rushed to get the CIP#2 through DH referral. Didn't find out until close to his 1 yr anniversary. I had wanted to cancel his card in April on the anniversary. I (im)patiently waited until the pending points posted and moved to my CSR. Timing working out for me, just got hit with the AF on 5/1 (it must not hit on the anniversary but just after). SM to close and no AF and my 20K points.

 

[Haley R]

https://www.chase.com/personal/mortgage/sapphire-reserve

Thank you!

 

[Killer Fish]

Is anyone holding on to the IHG card anymore with the restricted free nights? I feel like there are still some OK options at least for a $49 annual fee. I am pretty excited that I have 3 last unrestricted nights at the Kimpton Seafire Grand Cayman in October.

 

[pillow]

Can you explain the book/cancel trick? I haven't dealt with IHG either. (or point me in the right direction - is it on dischurners?) What's a Daily Getaway? I guess I'm back to being a N00B when it comes to Choice. Right now we have a cash reservation at one of their "Ascend" properties (I had no idea until I read the article you shared and then searched their website). I'm ok with the cash expense although it would be nice to not pay for it. I'm kind of hoarding my MRs at the moment since we are planning a trip in 2020 and want J-class seats to Europe. We seem to get the most "bang for the buck" on MRs when we use them that way. And with the airlines devaluing all the points I'm getting worried we might not have enough.

The book/cancel trick is when you book a room with a points/cash rate and then immediately cancel it. Your refund on the cash portion is given to you in points, so you've effectively "bought" points. I've done it on IHG but never on Choice. @Alexle2007 posted a while back that it worked fairly recently. You do need points in your account to do this obviously, so you'd have to transfer MR's or purchase some via Daily Getaways.

Daily Getaways is a yearly promotion where various travel related items are put on sale. Choice is on there for May 15th, but I'm not sure how that price compares to using the book/cancel trick. https://dailygetaways.ustravel.org/Home/Index/2019-05-15

From what I've read, if you want to purchase via Daily Getaways, you have to be online exactly when the sale begins. The best deals go very quickly.

 

[calypso726]

Nice! What properties do you use IHG for at DLR and WDW? We use it for Hotel Indigo at DLR and Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista at WDW. We booked the annual night at the Amsterdam Intercontinental for the end of our River Cruise this fall.

We haven’t yet since we still have one more unrestricted night each. I checked to see what properties were available at 40k or less in areas we travel most, WDW, DLR, NYC in order to see whether or not we’d be keeping the card. Next year will be the first tome we use our free night at a 40k or less property.

 

[vanjust14]

I hate Dosh. Nothing credits for me and I can’t understand why.

Happy bday!!!! You must not have a tween!! DS12 and DD9 say it all the time. Sometimes I say “u Gucci Brah?!” in front of my sons friends. He cringes.
Hope you had a Gucci Birthday!!

hahaha, nope! I have a 20 and a 3, lol. I'm sure I'll be embarrassing my daughter at some point. I was cool with my son because I was so much younger than the other moms. This time around I'm the old one! Thank you for the bday wishes